Frozen pipes can wreak havoc on a home or business. In addition to cutting off access to potable water, frozen plumbing can cause various property damage, prompting the need for water damage repair services.
Clogged or Slow Drains
Often one of the first locations that winter temperatures impact is frozen pipes leading away from a property, which can result in slow-moving or completely blocked drains.
Drains clogged by frozen water or wastewater prevent the use of sinks, showers, and other appliances. Water in these appliances may back up, leading to standing water and other issues.
Standing Water
Standing water poses a significant risk for properties of all types. From floorboards to ceilings, appliances, and beyond, standing water means water damage, mold, and structural issues. When pipes freeze, water in washing machine drain lines, showers, bathtubs, and sinks has nowhere to go.
Water quickly soaks into porous materials, causing staining, swelling, and bacterial contamination in wooden floorboards, walls, and carpets.
Damaged Electrical Wiring and Appliances
Water leaks from frozen pipes can short-circuit electrical wiring and appliances, resulting in expensive repairs or replacements. Shorts and electrical issues that frozen pipe leaks cause may also spark electrical fires, leading to fires and smoke damage.
In addition to the threat of internal plumbing freezing, frozen gutters pose a similar risk. Meltwater from ice and snow cannot enter frozen gutters and may damage shingles, roof structures, and walls. Frozen, heavy gutters can tear away from the home's exterior and require expensive replacement.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Water freezing inside pipes can cause those pipes to burst. The broken pipes that result can contribute to mildew and mold growth. Left untreated, these issues can spread, damaging floors, walls, and surfaces they come into contact with.
Mold, mildew, and water damage repair can rack up costly bills. Many water damage restoration professionals offer in-house mold removal or provide referrals to locally trusted service providers.
Warping and Decay
As previously mentioned, frozen pipes may contribute to structural damage in the form of warping and decay. Even small leaks caused by frozen pipes can make wooden floors and support structures swell or buckle.
When left untreated, porous surfaces impacted by water damage will progressively worsen until they become safety hazards. Like a leaky roof, a water-damaged floor or wall may collapse.
The damage caused by warping and decay makes up a significant portion of the repair work performed by water damage restoration professionals. Property owners who notice minimal warping in their ceilings or floors should reach out for inspections as soon as possible.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Even property owners with an insurance policy covering water damage and repair services should prevent frozen pipes. To prevent pipes from freezing:
- Keep faucets at a drip when the temperature drops below freezing
- Insulate pipes
- Keep cabinets open to warm pipes
An insurance company may not cover water damage repair if a property owner doesn't insulate their pipes and water source.
Water Damage Repair Services in Brandywine
Frozen pipes can result in safety risks and extensive property damage. Top To Bottom Renovation offers water damage repair and restoration services in Maryland.
Property owners in Brandywine, MD, and surrounding areas who are facing severe water damage deserve expert help. To schedule a consultation, contact Top To Bottom Renovation at (866) 746-5826 today.
